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Tufts asks Class of 2018 wannabes, ‘What does #YOLO mean to you?’

If you’ve ever questioned the power of social media, think again. Even stodgy academics are catching on.

As part of its application, Tufts University is asking the Class of 2018: “What does #YOLO mean to you?” The university is known for the quirky, unconventional use of social media in its application process, but this year is the first time it’s jumping on a trending meme and popular Twitter hashtag.

The ancient Romans started it when they coined the phrase "Carpe diem." Jonathan Larson proclaimed "No day but today!" and most recently, Drake explained You Only Live Once (YOLO). Have you ever seized the day? Lived like there was no tomorrow? Or perhaps you plan to shout YOLO while jumping into something in the future. What does #YOLO mean to you?

The reckless sibling of “carpe diem,” YOLO stands for “you only live once” and was popularized in rapper Drake’s 2011 single “The Motto.” The phrase took the Internet and Twitter by storm, commandeered by teens to justify risky, oftentimes irrational behavior. (It’s now been adopted on Facebook with a sardonic twist: “Going to pick up the dry cleaning. #YOLO.”)

High school seniors who choose the YOLO question shouldn’t take it lightly. Tufts recently reported that last year, because of a record high total 18,420 undergrad applications, its acceptance rate hit a record low 18.7 percent.

Applicants worried about their futures might take a cue from The Lonely Island and flip the motto on its head.